Norway has set a global standard for adopting electric vehicles (EVs). Nine out of ten new cars sold in the country are now battery-powered, and it aims to reach 100% soon. As the world watches, the question remains: Can other nations follow its lead?
An Electric Revolution Decades in the Making
In 2024, Harald A. Møller, a leading car dealership in Oslo, stopped selling fossil fuel vehicles after 75 years. Now, all its cars are electric. “The future is electric,” says CEO Ulf Tore Hekneby, pointing out advances like long-range and fast charging that make internal combustion engine (ICE) cars obsolete.
On Oslo’s streets, battery-powered cars dominate, with nearly every other car bearing an “E” for electric on its license plate. Norway, with its 5.5 million residents, has adopted EVs faster than any other country. In 2023, electric cars outnumbered petrol vehicles for the first time. Adding diesel, EVs still account for nearly a third of all vehicles on Norwegian roads.
Sales figures illustrate this transformation. In 2024, 88.9% of new cars sold were electric, a rise from 82.4% the previous year. Some months saw fully electric car sales hit 98%. By contrast, in the UK, EVs made up 20% of new car registrations, while the US lagged with just 8%.
This shift didn’t happen overnight. Norway began its EV journey in the 1990s, offering incentives like tax exemptions for EVs and penalizing fossil fuel cars with higher taxes. The goal was clear: make zero-emission vehicles an attractive and practical choice.
Christina Bu, secretary-general of the Norwegian EV Association, notes that early efforts supported domestic EV manufacturers like Buddy and TH!NK City. While these brands faded, their legacy persists in Norway’s EV-friendly policies. “Strong policies, not a green mindset, drove this shift,” Bu emphasizes.
Deputy Transport Minister Cecilie Knibe Kroglund credits predictable and long-term policies for this success. Norway avoided outright bans on fossil-fuel cars, instead steering consumer behavior through financial incentives. Buyers enjoy perks like free parking, reduced tolls, and bus lane access.
A Model for Other Nations?
Other countries are moving slower. The European Union plans to ban fossil-fuel car sales by 2035, while the UK aims for 2030. Meanwhile, Norway’s non-binding target of 2025 is within reach.
For local drivers like Ståle Fyen, EVs are a no-brainer. “With no taxes on EVs, it made financial sense,” he explains. Though winter shortens battery range by 20%, Norway’s extensive charging network solves the issue. Another driver, Merete Eggesbø, recalls buying one of Norway’s first Teslas in 2014, driven by her desire to reduce pollution.
Charging infrastructure plays a crucial role. Norway has over 27,000 public chargers, compared to 73,699 in the UK—a country 12 times larger. Per 100,000 people, Norway boasts 447 chargers, dwarfing the UK’s 89.
Tesla, VW, and Toyota lead the Norwegian EV market, but Chinese brands like MG, BYD, and Polestar hold a growing share. Notably, Norway imposes no tariffs on Chinese EV imports, unlike the US and EU.
Critics argue Norway’s wealth, fueled by oil and gas exports, underpins its success. The country’s sovereign wealth fund exceeds $1.7 trillion, allowing it to invest in infrastructure and absorb tax revenue losses. Additionally, Norway generates 88% of its electricity from renewable hydro sources, further supporting its EV transition.
Kjell Werner Johansen of the Norwegian Centre for Transport Research predicts over half of Norway’s cars will be electric in a few years. “Nobody wants to buy diesel cars anymore,” he states.
Norway’s experience shows the power of clear policies and investments. Other nations can replicate this success by adapting the model to their unique circumstances.
